To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to paragraph 39, page 37 of his Department’s resource accounts for 2006-07, what the dates were of each meeting held by the review group led by Professor Neil Douglas; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) agenda and (b) minutes of each meeting. (178281)

The group led by Neil Douglas was asked to

understand what has worked and not worked to date (March 2007);

identify and promote good practice;

recommend action to remedy any weaknesses, taking account of legal and operational constraints;

identify specifically what further action or guidance is required:

immediately (or before completion of round one);

before commencement of round two;

before and subsequent rounds; and

develop improved arrangements for the support and care of applicants.

The Department accepted and acted upon recommendations as they were made. The report of the review team can be found at:

www.mmc.nhs.uk

Meetings were held on 16 March, 21 March, 26 March, 30 March, 4 April, 17 April, 26 April, 9 May, 17 May, 24 May, 5 June and 28 June. They took place at a critical stage in the development of policy and it therefore would not be appropriate to publish the agenda and minutes of them. In addition, as the meetings began nearly a year ago, they may be misleading in the context of a rapidly changing environment.